Should Missouri raise the speed limit to 75? (Springfield, Columbia: construction, to live in)

[SouthernTiger]

What do you think?

I think if they do, the only two interstates that will have 75 MPH speed limits are 29 and 35 outside of KC, as there is almost nothingness out in those parts.

55 in the Bootheel and 155 are 2 other contenders, but i don't really see any reason to raise those two.

[GunnerTHB]

55 and 155 could be 80 mph without causing any real difficulties if you dropped the limit back to 70 at Hayti & Caruthersville, Sikeston, and Cape Girardeau & Jackson. 155 is in great shape & most of 55 is in great shape other than the road construction right now. I set my cruise at 80mph on both 55 and 155.

Also, the U.S. 412 leg from 155 to Arkansas & U.S. 60 from Sikeston to Poplar Bluff could be increased as well. Tabletop flat with very few exceptions.

[joelwnelson]

Seems like everyone already drives 75 on I-70, but the road is too busy and narrow for the official limit to be anything higher.

I used to live in NE and drove 29 to/from KC often. At night, I bet one could go 90 in the river valley area through Holt or Atchison County with low risk of trouble. Wouldn't recommend doing that for obvious reasons, but it's definitely an isolated stretch that could support a higher speed limit.

[STLCityMike]

Originally Posted by joelwnelson

Seems like everyone already drives 75 on I-70, but the road is too busy and narrow for the official limit to be anything higher.

I used to live in NE and drove 29 to/from KC often. At night, I bet one could go 90 in the river valley area through Holt or Atchison County with low risk of trouble. Wouldn't recommend doing that for obvious reasons, but it's definitely an isolated stretch that could support a higher speed limit.

I do agree that people are already exceeding the posted limit on I-70 today. I don't see any concerns raising it to 75 - especially outside of the metro areas of STL. Columbia and KC.

[Floorist]

What about I-49, most of it is very straight?

[Richmond_Heights_Fella]

I think 75 MPH would be appropriate for some interstates, but not all. Examples include I-29 north of St. Joseph, I-35 north of Kearney, I-49 between Harrisonville and just north of Joplin and from just south of Joplin to Pineville, and I-55 south of Cape Girardeau.

But I would hate to see truckers enabled to drive any faster than they already do on I-70 and I-44.

Another idea would be to do what Arkansas used to do and have a truck speed limit. What about 75 MPH for passenger vehicles and 70 MPH for trucks? That would make sense to me.

[RisingAurvandil]

Originally Posted by Floorist

What about I-49, most of it is very straight?

Certainly. I-49 would be a good candidate. I-44 between Springfield and Joplin is also straight and flat.

Bills have been filed in previous legislatures. I would've thought this would be an easy pass in the legislative, especially considering the neighboring states that already have a 75 limit. Apparently not.

Not every highway needs to be 75, but MoDOT could be given authority to determine which sections could handle higher limits.

[Floorist]

One interchange at Nevada should not have passed for an Interstate. Northbound merging onto I 49, the interstate traffic comes around a curve behind you. It is extremely dangerous. Most of the locals go up to the next entrance where you can see the oncoming traffic.

[MLSFan]

Usually associate high speeds with good roads... MO roads suck, so no higher speeds

[brownbagg]

our highways in mississippi are 70, so now traffic running 90-105 all day, everyday